OBITUARY

Rev. Vincent J. Youngkamp, SSC

Posted

PROVIDENCE — Father Vincent Joseph Youngkamp, 86, a Catholic priest with a heart for the people of Japan, his family and friends, died April 4, 2019, in Providence, Rhode Island. Born in Smithton, Missouri, he was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Judge) Youngkamp and grew up in Sedalia, Missouri.

Father Vince (Vinnie) grew up in Sedalia, Missouri, and after elementary school attended a local seminary in Missouri. He joined the Society of St. Columban in 1953 and studied in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Ireland. He was ordained a priest on December 19, 1959, and was missioned to Japan. He humbly served the Lord as a missionary priest throughout Japan for over 45 years. While in Japan, he worked in many ministries including parishes, schools and the Columban leadership. He cherished working with families and children of all ages, as well as prisoners, migrants and marginalized workers. He truly was a “good and faithful servant for God’s people.”

He returned to the United States permanently in November of 2006. He served parishes in the Jefferson City, Missouri, area until his full retirement in May of 2013. He resided at The Columban Fathers Retirement Home in Bristol, Rhode Island until his death.

Father Vince is pre-deceased by his sisters, Mary Margaret Weber, Josephine Hudson, Imogene Murphy; and his brother, John Youngkamp; as well as six brothers-in-law. He is survived by his sisters, Dorothy Rosenberger of Kansas City, Missouri, and Patricia Kane of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; plus 21 nieces and nephews who thought he was “the greatest”.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, April 9, at the Columban Fathers Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, April 11, at St. Thomas More Parish, Kansas City, Missouri, with interment in Crown Hill/Calvary Cemetery, Sedalia, Missouri.